Good stories re giving birth alone in hospital?

[mowmylawn]

I'm due in seven weeks, smack in the middle of the summer holidays and everyone we know is away the week before and the week after my due date - DH's family, our friends/neighbours and the childminder (all of my family are overseas). I've been racking my brain for two months now trying to think of what to do with our 2yo daughter when I go into labour and there's absolutely no one to watch her. Not being all martyr-ish, there's literally no one apart from my DH.

I have the feeling I'm going to have to go it alone at the hospital (we can't afford a doula at this late stage). If anyone else has done it, please tell me it's not nearly as depressing as it sounds...

I presume a home birth isn't an option?

I have a friend who did it. Think about how you get to hospital (cab?) but she said staff were extra nice to her and tried to ensure a mw stayed with her.

If it's the summer holidays another local childminder might be free. Ask around as one might agree to be on standby for you.
It must be a scary time for you. I'd offer as I had the same worries myself (obviously if I knew you in real life).

Good luck

Option 2 - scheduled c section?

I don't think many (any?) areas will schedule a section for childcare reasons.

I gave birth alone and it was fine. DH and dd, who was nearly two, were going to see me settled in the hospital then go, but ds came quicker than expected so they waited outside until he was born.

Honestly, it was lovely.

Me too. We had arranged for DP's mum to come and stay and look after DS1 when I went into labour, but DS2 surprised us by coming a bit early and before she'd arrived (no family nearby and all friends had their own toddlers to worry about!). I went to hospital by taxi thinking DP would join me later when he'd dropped DS1 at nursery but the birth was very quick and he never got there. I didn't mind at all. The midwives were very kind because I was by myself, and it was actually nice not to have to worry/think about anyone else. I was also relieved knowing DS1 was happily playing lego with his Dad!

If I were going to have a third child (which I'm not) I'd either do it alone or just take a female friend...